Summary
It’s been incredible to witness how much the free-to-play multiplayer scene has exploded with online games. Every company is trying to get a piece of this craze andwhile many titles can bleed togetherand seem derivative of each other, it’s also pushed some developers to challenge the genre and come up with something fun and different.Valorantmade a strong impression on audiences during its beta phase, but it’s recently put out its full release and allowed players to see what it’s all about.
It’s a satisfying tactical first-person shooter, but there are many games out there that conjure a similar vibe.Valorantmay have a gameplay loop that can be pretty unique in its own right, but that doesn’t mean that other titles can’t scratch that itch, either. There are several titles in the same vein if players love the gameplay loop of this title, hitting the same notes in some way or the other and letting players enjoy some truly pulse-pounding gameplay that is incredibly tense yet satisfying.
Updated on June 03, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat:After Riot Games' massive success with League of Legends, Valorant was a brand-new adventure for this company in a pretty saturated market, but it did end up quite well for the developer, as Valorant is already one of the most populated competitive shooters.
Being a hero shooter and featuring a Counter-Strike-style gameplay loop, makes it a bit difficult to find a perfect replacement for Valorant, but there are many games that can represent certain aspects of the game even better than Valorant itself.
This list is not limited to competitive games, but rather it focuses on games that feature gameplay aspects similar to that of Valorant.
Battlebornwas one of the first live-service shooter games to come out that was perfectly serviceable but didn’t do anything too major to help it stand out from the rest of the pack. As a result, the player base of this title dwindled to the point where it eventually stopped receiving any support and was quietly taken off the market.
It’s a shame since the lack of developments in this genre has made it clear thatBattleborndid many good things that were pretty underappreciated at the time. Fans have given this game a revival of sorts withBattleborn Reborn, a fan-led project that lets players check out the single-player campaign in its entirety.
Featuring cross-platform progression, Rogue Company is one of those free-to-play experiences that probably didn’t get the attention it deserved. The game comes with a variety of enjoyable game modes and a competitive ranked experience for those looking to prove their skills.
Each Agent in Rogue Company delivers a unique gameplay approach, as some are built to raise chaos while others lean towards a stealth approach. The good news is players can unlock all the agents by progression through the game. There are no pay-to-win elements and the game also receives limited-time modes from time to time.
Aside from its captivating settings and narrative,Halois also known for itsskill-based gunplay, which enables competitive PvP action. The multiplayer mode inHaloevolved with each new entry, even though the campaign had its shortcomings some time. EvenHalo 5: Guardians, with all the campaign criticisms, excelled in delivering a competitive multiplayer experience.
WithHalo Infiniteleading the series now, the multiplayer experience has evolved even more. Although the game experienced a rough launch in the beginning, 343 Industries did not give up and the support fromHalo Infinitecontinued to make a top-notch competitive shooter. The game still receives new content and it has a decent player base.
Veterans from DICE banded together to create a live-service shooter that would help the series evolve in a new direction, andThe Finalsdoesn’t disappoint. The focus on parkour movement coupled with destructive maps makes for a cathartic multiplayer experience that fans can’t get enough of.
Sure, the game has some kinks that need to be ironed out, but this is the case for every live-service shooter in its early goings.The Finalshas settled upon a brilliant formula, and it’s up to Embark Studios to ensure that they maintain this hype instead of turning the game into a bloated experience with later updates.
The idea of playing as space-dwarven miners in extraterrestrial worlds and taking out a wealth of unique enemies sounds like a great time, and this is just one of the many reasonswhyDeep Rock Galactichas become such a massive hit. Fans ofLeft 4 Deadwho want a different take on this zombie co-op shooter’s gameplay will love this title for its great visuals, scintillating combat, and roguelike nature.
No playthrough feels the same, allowing players to have a great time with their friends as they engage in multiple playthroughs to try and complete missions in the most efficient manner possible. There’s a fair bit of tactical planning involved in this game that will feel right at home for fans ofValorant, but the focus on PvE gameplay means that most players can enjoy the catharsis of violence instead of having to second-guess everything from their movements to the target they’re trying to take down.
Remnant: From the Asheswas a brilliant mix of Soulslike gameplay and third-person shooting that could be incredibly challenging at times. Players had to be very careful about engaging enemies, and playing in co-op was always a plus for players who appreciated the help as they took down enemies and bosses together. So, while fans of the first game were excited to see whatRemnant 2had to offer, no one expected the sequel to be such a huge step up from its predecessor.
The roguelike elements from the first game were expanded upon considerably, with the art design and gameplay being simply spectacular. Players couldn’t be faulted for just taking a break and appreciating the scenery… that is until a horde of enemies decided to ambush them in the hopes of taking the heroes out in no time flat.Remnant 2is an excellent game that fans will have a great time with, especially if they love challenging co-op shooters.
For those looking for a fresh, never-before-seen competitive shooter,Bodycamis probably a must-play. The game’s primary selling point is its realistic visuals, which make it feel like the player is actually walking and shooting in a real environment.
When playingBodycam, it is quite difficult to set boundaries between the game and the real world, and that’s one of the main challenges in this game because players will have to control recoil, hear defeating gunshots, and keep their aim at their targets while excessive muzzle flash blocks their sight.
Quake Championswas a valiant attempt by id Software to bring back the age of the arena shooter with some modern enhancements as well. While the title isn’t the most popular game around,Quake Championsis still a blast to play through, especially if players manage to round up some friends for a great time.
The free-to-play nature of this title means that players can easily get into this title without any monetary investment, although progression does slow to a crawl as a result. It’s a shame thatQuake Championsdidn’t attain the long-running popularity it deserved, since it’s genuinely quite different from most other multiplayer shooters out there.
Splitgatecombines the hectic action of first-person shooters with the ingenious use of portals to make for an FPS that has immense depth when it comes to its gameplay. There’s nothing more satisfying than setting up a portal to target an opportune place and take out multiple enemies without too many issues.
Splitgate’s gameplay can take a while to get used to, especially for players who are used to regular FPS action and forget to use the immensely helpful portals in this game. However, with a bit of practice, players will be deftly setting up portals and taking out enemies without a care in the world.
While Destiny 2 is far bigger than a competitive shooter, it does feature a multitude of PvP game modes. Most gamers know Destiny 2 for its incredible raids and dungeons, as well as the story-based missions, but the game does give value to thosewho have mastered gunplay.
Aside from the classic PvP game modes, Destiny 2 also delivers some special competitive events during each season such as Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner. These events remain active for a limited time, but players who manage to level up and get the objectives done are rewarded with higher-tier PvP weapons.
